For instance with sleep. I have been working on being a better sleeper for a long time. I used to have a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep. Over the last 20 years I have found a few tricks to get me to the place I am now which is a pretty good sleeper. I have a good mattress and pillow and I also use a ChiliSleep pad. I take melatonin and use ear plugs. I try to make sure the house temperature is at a comfortable range for everyone inside. Well guess what happens at WinterStrong? Almost none of that. You can’t sleep on the same mattress, it’s cold and sometimes rainy, and what about the bathroom?

But that’s just a small part of WinterStrong. The best part of the challenges, aside from the physical competition which is a different story, is to meet as many new people as you can while spending time with those whom you might be more familiar with. I have met some of the most interesting people and most of them are among the best at whatever it is they do. It’s interesting how humble people who are at the top of their field or profession can be. Maybe those are just the type of people the Sorin family attracts. This event is held on the Sorin family farm which brings a unique sort of family type reunion feel to it. There are so many people from different backgrounds and you never know all the commonalities until you open up your mouth and introduce yourself.

Some of you know I was introduced to hunting through sport. I blame my friend Rhino for first showing me how rewarding it can be with just getting outside in the woods. Being outdoors has become one of my favorite strategies to destress and enjoy life. I have been able to continue to challenge myself and I thank all of my friends I have met through opportunities that are almost completely opposite of growing up in inner city Detroit, Michigan. I am grateful for my experiences growing up in the “D” but life has been so much more when I open myself up to opportunities to learn and some different things. So everyone may not be able to experience Sorinex’s WinterStrong event, but you can explore the world outside of what you know and get comfortable being uncomfortable. I am looking forward to sleeping on the ground in a cold tent. Stay Strong!